Giant Gap gains defenders"
(Auburn Journal, 12/03/2004)
"Two land trusts have gained a solid foothold in a new attempt to
protect the scenic majesty of Giant Gap, near Gold Run." One property
"will be transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management."
Said a trust spokesperson: "This will result in the protection of
the American River canyon's scenic beauty and wildlife habitat, the protection
of water quality and the enhancement of public recreational access to
the river canyon." http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2004/12/03/news/top_stories/04giantgap.txt

"Land conservancy
may buy Piedras Blancas Resort" (San Luis Obispo Tribune,
12/03/2004)
"The shoreline surrounding the weathered resort is the last parcel
west of Highway 1 that's surrounded by Hearst Ranch property but owned
by someone other than the state or federal government....The US Bureau
of Land Management owns the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse site. State parks
owns William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach at San Simeon Cove....The
conservancies say the purchase would be a key link in a planned trail
that would extend along the coast from Oregon to Mexico."http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/local/10328951.htm

"Peak interest;
Trona Pinnacles a popular spot for nature lovers, sci-fi fans alike"
(Bakersfield Californian, 12/04/2004)
"The remote desert site, managed by the Bureau of Land Management,
is always open and free to the public. The best time to visit is winter,
when daytime temperatures average a balmy 68 degrees." More than
20 movies have used the area - with its unusual geologic formations -
as a backdrop.(Free registration required)http://www.bakersfield.com/eye_street/story/5123055p-5168403c.html

Related:
"Trona Pinnacles" (BLM California website)
"However it may appear to you, a visit to the Trona Pinnacles will
be a journey into one of the most unusual geologic wonders in the California
Desert."http://www.ca.blm.gov/ridgecrest/trona.html

"Native plants
get some helping hands" (Monterey County Herald, 12/05/2004)
"Return of the Natives is a community and school-based environmental
education program dedicated to involving students (kindergarten through
university) in habitat restoration and service learning projects in schools
and the community. Return of the Natives partners with the Bureau of Land
Management in restoration and education efforts on their newly acquired
Fort Ord Public Lands, along with the Monterey regional parks, California
state parks, and with the city of Salinas, with their various restoration
projects."http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/10345580.htm

SPECIAL PHOTO FEATURE: Pogonip

"Pogonip hits northern California public lands" (News.bytes Extra, December, 2004)
Pogonip, or ice fog, results in a phenomenon called "hoarfrost," which is a deposit of interlocking ice crystals on objects exposed to cold, foggy air. Dazzling winter scenes are revealed as tree limbs, leaves, fence wires are coated with the ice. As the fog burns off in the daylight hours, there are a few magical moments when the hoarfrost glistens in the sun, beautifully contrasted against azure skies. See this photo feature from BLM's Northern California public affairs specialist.

SAGE
GROUSE, ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, OTHER WILDLIFE

"Bird not likely
to get endangered status" (Associated Press at MSNBC, 12/3/2004)
"Interior Department biologists have recommended against adding the
sage grouse to the endangered species list, a determination that could
wind up benefiting natural gas and oil producers but add to environmentalists
concerns. A coalition of farmers, ranchers, oil and gas developers and
other businesses praised the recommendation as potentially historic....Last
month, Interiors Bureau of Land Management, which oversees oil and
gas leases and much of the sage grouse habitat, issued a conservation
plan."http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6646138/

"Western governors
focus on wildlife; Changes to species law discussed at S.D. summit"
(San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/04/2004)
"A majority of Western governors gathered in San Diego yesterday
said they favor significant revisions in the federal Endangered Species
Act, one of the nation's landmark environmental laws. Colorado Gov. Bill
Owens and others said the 31-year-old law often robs Westerners of their
property rights and imposes broad rules after little consultation."
BLM California representatives attended the meeting.http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041204-9999-7m4govs.html

"Rules target
fish habitat" (Redding Record Searchlight, 12/05/2004)
Two Redding-area creeks retain their designation as critical habitat for
salmon and steelhead - but a "dozen or so smaller Sacramento River
tributaries in the Redding area" do not. "Meanwhile, Fish and
Game officials have urged the federal Bureau of Land Management to prevent
development on 215 acres around Salt Creek known as 'Area 51.' Plans to
carve nearly 60 lots there could harm fish and undermine a $20 million
restoration effort...."(Free registration required)http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_3376665,00.html

SPECIAL STATUS PLANT OF THE WEEK: Abode lilly
This plant grows in adobe soil in interior foothills of California. It
is a perennial herb with yellowish bulb, 1/2 - 1 inch long, with
1-12 large scales, and 0-2 small scales. Stems upright, 6-18 inches.
Leaves are elliptic to obovate, to oblong, with 3-10 leaves clustered
near the ground. Flowers contain 6 pinkish-purple, obovate petals. Fruit
is a capsule with 3 chambers, and many flat, brownish seeds.http://www.ca.blm.gov/pa/ssp/plants/Adobe_lily.html

MEET
YOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS: David CharltonDesert District Advisory Council member David Charlton
is from Newberry Springs and represents botanical interests as a renewable
resource representative. He is an accomplished botanist and....read more
in this week's News.bytes feature. http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac/dac/member_profiles/charlton.html

PROFILE:
Christina WelchCurrently
Acting Field Manager El Centro Field Office, Christina finds "working
in controversial arenas, with passionate and polarized publics, and helping
them come to consensus to be wildly satisfying" - as long as there
is some down time afterwards. Read more in this week's News.bytes Profile:http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/profiles/welch-elcentro.html

HEADLINES
AND HIGHLIGHTS

"Mustangs' slaughter
feared" (Sacramento Bee, 12/7/2004)
"Advocates for wild horses, burros blast little-noticed provision
in spending bill....'This is not something the BLM sought,' said Celia
Boddington, a spokeswoman for the agency in Washington. But if it becomes
law, she said, the agency will follow the law. Animal-rights activists
were stunned to discover the provision tucked into the bill."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/11686080p-12574985c.html

"Los Angeles DWP
seeks comments on Pine Tree wind project" (Desert News,
12/03/2004)
"Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power officials are seeking comment
on a draft environmental impact report and environmental assessment for
a large windfarm the city wants to build north of Mojave....the project
would generate some 120 megawatts of electrical power which, DWP says,
'will help meet overall demand for electrical power in Southern California.'"
The BLM is involved in an environmental review, since public lands are
involved.http://www.desertnews.com/2004/December/12_02_04_NEWS_LA_DWP.html

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